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Outstanding student selected for inaugural Johnson Scholarship

10.05.2015

The College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina announced today that senior BSW candidate Nicole Piccini was selected to receive the inaugural Johnson Scholarship.

The Johnson Scholarship was created to honor recently retired Dr. Miriam Johnson. As Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Miriam made countless contributions to the College of Social Work and the BSW program. The Johnson Scholarship awards $250.00 each semester to a student in the BSW Upper Division Program that has well defined professional goals.

“What impressed the Selection Committee (three representatives from the Undergraduate Committee and I) the most about Ms. Piccini’s scholarship application was that her goals were specific and included a well thought-out time frame for when they could be completed including obtaining a graduate degree and obtaining practice experience,” said Dr. Daniel Freedman, BSW Program Coordinator and a representative of the Undergraduate Committee.

Piccini goals are to become a pediatric oncology social worker and develop social policies. She has maintained a GPA of 4.0 in the BSW Upper Division Program and has made the President’s list of Undergraduate students.

“When I found out I won the award I was very surprised but excited as well!” Piccini said. “I knew the scholarship would be competitive and I was competing against a lot of wonderful people in my cohort. It was relief winning, as well, because I am paying out-of-state tuition, which is very expensive. So any little bit of money off my tuition helps a great deal.”

Piccini gives back to the community by volunteering at Harvest Hope and for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) One Walk. She has also served on her sorority’s Philanthropy Committee.